Development of NaBiF4 based nanomaterials doped with lanthanide (III) ions

Bismuth-based nanomaterials have recently emerged as promising candidates for photonic applications involving photoluminescence and scintillation technologies. NaBiF4 has attracted interest due to its low phonon energy, structural similarity with the well-stablished NaREF4 (RE = rare earth), and its ability to accommodate lanthanide ions within its crystal lattice. In this work, undoped, Eu- and Nd-doped NaBiF4 nanoparticles were synthesized through a facile room-temperature co-precipitation method. The crystal structure was investigated by powder X-ray diffraction. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images revealed the particles size and morphology. Diffuse reflectance measurements in the UV-Vis were employed to estimate the NaBiF4 optical band gap, and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra exhibit the characteristic 4f-4f transitions of Eu3+ and Nd3+ ions. Therefore, NaBiF4 based nanomaterials have been successfully prepared and their structural, morphological and optical properties were investigated. The results demonstrated theNaBiF4 is a low-phonon energy host capable of transferring energy to the lanthanide dopants.